DA mainstreams management of 'gabi

AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS. Camarines Sur Gov. Migz Villafuerte through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist gathers farmers from all over the province for a Training on Good Agricultural Practices on Gabi Production last August 14-15, 2019. Sponsored by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office V, the training focused on the proper cultivation of gabi, locally known as katnga, to encourage more farmers to plant more gabi due to its potentials for growth and income. jmts/rbmjr/mmec082019 with photos from fb_GovMigzVillafuerte

Taro, also known as gabi, is a perennial crop that best grows in lowland and even in swampy areas. From its leaves down to its petiole and corms, the plant is wholly edible and is used for human consumption.

Camarines Sur, particularly the municipality of Nabua, is well-recognized as a main producer of Gabi. The varieties of Princesa and Balitaka grow abundantly in the said municipality.

With this, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office V, together with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturists under the High Value Crops Development Program conducted the Training on Good Agricultural Practices on Gabi Production on August 14-15, 2019. The farmers also visited 3 wide “Katngaan” sites in Nabua, mainly in San Jose, Antipolo old, and La Opinion.

“Barangay Sta. Lucia has the widest Katngaan sites or gabi plantation. It is, however, scattered in different places because various families own it. But as you can see, the Soltes Family here in Barangay Antipolo Old owns the biggest area of Katngaan.” shared by Marlene Castillo, the Gabi focal person of the Municipal Agriculturists Office upon visiting the site in Antipolo Old.

Planting of Gabi seedlings depend on the desired distance of the farmers. It may be in rice fields or plots, as long as the Gabi seedlings or shoots can stand firmly with minimum depth of water and saturated level of water.

Racquel Billanueva, a farmer from Milaor, already plans to convert her rice field into a Katngaan. She said, “After the training, I was convinced to be a Gabi producer now. I can see the potential of this indigenous plant, both financially and economically.”

Generally, the training focused on highlighting the proper cultivation of Gabi, locally known as “Katnga” to the farmers and to encourage them to plant more Gabi as it provides more nutritional value, profitable income, and extra livelihood to farmers.